Dress windows with style and flair

Whether you live in a suburban townhouse or an inner-city penthouse, there's no denying that full-length curtains offer ambiance, privacy or style for a home. Design experts show how they have incorporated window treatments to add more than a touch of flair.

 

beasley and henley

ABOVE: Blending seamlessly with window frames and surrounding design elements, full length window treatments in a soft, dreamy fabric add to the light and airy feel of this high-rise apartment.

BELOW: This combined bedroom-nursery is fresh and inviting with its floor-to-ceiling window treatment, incorporating a hand made valance.

hgtv.com

Full length curtains soften hard edges, making any room in a home feel much more inviting, while still offering various degrees of privacy. While other window treatments also offer privacy, full length curtains add a feeling of opulence that blinds cannot. If privacy is an issue that needs to be taken into consideration, think about how much privacy you need during the day when the curtains are not closed.

If the room is overlooked you may want to add fine voile, lace or net curtains to your windows or fit a mini blind in addition to having curtains to frame the windows and draw at night. If the curtains are kept open, by fitting dress curtains you can save money on quantity and splurge on quality fabrics, as you will use less fabric.

ABOVE: In this traditional bedroom, the ruffled valance adds a soft touch to the window.

 

 

BELOW: A seaside home, with its comfortable rattan furniture, adds to the casual feel with tab-top curtains.

ABOVE: Seriously pink - but not too pink - with full-length curtains set against a pale green backdrop.

ABOVE: Black and white toile abound in this black, cream and light sage bedroom. The light-blocking blinds are not only practical, but add even more drama to the room.

BELOW: Vintage charm dining room with its hanging, full-length drapes. It is important that your style of curtains should be in keeping with the general theme you have chosen for a particular room.

ABOVE: A slash of bold lime green colour is provided in this otherwise monochromatic dining room, with its creamy whites and gold accents.

As a major component of any room decor, curtains cover a large area, so make sure that you pick the right colour. If you're not sure what colour to choose, go with a neutral colour and add a border or trim using colour from the room. Window treatments can act as a focal point, serve a practical function [providing shade or privacy], provide a pop of colour or add depth and dimension to a room. Window treatments can be used to add a dose of bold or contrasting colour to a neutral room. Alternatively, curtains that match the colours in a room highlight rather than being a feature.

taylor king

BELOW: Cool, serene and elegant, this boutique bedroom is decorated in shades of ice blue, off white and white. The floor-to-ceiling curtains are mounted behind a mock cornice for a seamless look.

ABOVE: Not your average curtains. This ultra modern bedroom demanded a unique window treatment. The lace design in a matching blue works perfectly and adds a soft, dreamy feel.

When choosing fabric for curtains, select the fabric based on the room and the way the curtain will be used; do you want the curtains to drape, pleat or ruffle. A stiff brocade, for example, will hang heavily, while a soft, sheer fabric will fall and puddle on the floor. You also need to consider the disadvantages of various fabrics - cotton and rayon wrinkle easily and can shrink.